A new project is focusing on bringing two of our historic local waterways back to life and is looking for input from members of the public.
The Market Weighton Canal and River Foulness once played an important role in the life of the local community, carrying local farm produce and bricks via the Humber to all parts of the country. The waters are now quiet with little activity taking place either on or beside the water.
Originally stretching from River Head south of Market Weighton to the Humber at Weighton Lock, the Market Weighton Canal was an important transport artery before the coming of the railways and the dominance of road haulage. The River Foulness flows from above Holme on Spalding Moor down to its confluence with the canal upstream of Newport and is the location of one of Britain’s oldest iron industries and extensive local Roman settlement.
The East Riding and North Yorkshire Waterways Partnership is researching how the Market Weighton Canal and River Foulness can, once again, play a role in the life of the local community and be made more available for a variety of leisure and recreational uses. It is intended to provide enhanced access routes, celebrate the area’s valuable historic and natural assets and improve links to the waterways from the surrounding towns and villages.
On behalf of the partnership, Newport Parish Council has commissioned consultants led by Colin Blundel of The Planning Company to develop a feasibility study for the canal and the river.
Colin said: “Waterways regeneration projects have been very successful elsewhere in the country and there is clearly potential in the East Riding to raise their profile and encourage their recreational use, whilst retaining their importance as wildlife corridors and historic resources.”
The project team is very keen to hear the views of local people with an interest in the project. They are particularly interested is responses to the following questions –
1. What recreational facilities would you like to see within the Marker Weighton Canal and River Foulness corridors?
2. How could the local environment of the canal and river be improved?
3. How can the canal and river be developed to encourage tourism?
4. Are there any memories or stories about the canal and river that you would like to share?
5. What would your long-term vision for the canal and river be?
Please send your answers to these questions and any other comments to Colin Blundel by 30th June by e-mail to info@theplanningcompany.co.uk
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